A peltast was a type of Greek infantryman who was usually armed with a javelin and who carried a light shield. Originating from Thrace, the peltast was a common sight in Greek warfare during the Classical period and especially following the Peloponnesian War.
More about: PeltastDefinition
Timeline
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Aug 480 BCEBattle of Thermopylae. 300 Spartans under King Leonidas and other Greek allies hold back the Persians led by Xerxes I for three days but are defeated.
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479 BCEXerxes' Persian forces are defeated by Greek forces at Plataea effectively ending Persia's imperial ambitions in Greece.
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424 BCEA force of Athenian peltasts defeat Spartan hoplites on Sphaktria in the Peloponnese.
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422 BCESpartan general Brasidas employs Myrkinian and Chalkidian peltasts to defeat a force of Athenian hoplites at Amphipolis.
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390 BCEAthenian leader Iphikrates employs peltasts to defeat Spartan hoplites at Lechaion near Corinth.
